Oroho to Murphy: Why the Lag? Let’s Open Up New Jersey

2.5 Million Job Surge in May Is Largest Increase Since 1939

Senator Steve Oroho is calling on Governor Phil Murphy to reopen New Jersey sooner rather than later. With 2.5 million new jobs added in May, the nation’s unemployment rate has fallen to 13.3%, showing that a quick economic recovery is possible.

“With many areas of our nation successfully on the road to recovery, let’s stop slow-walking our reopening in New Jersey,” said Oroho (R-24). “Consumers are ready to reinvigorate our economy and our businesses’ survival depends on it. We’re on the heels of the largest one-month job gain since before World War II, which demonstrates that if we can reopen swiftly and smartly, we can supercharge New Jersey’s economic recovery.”

According to the New Jersey Business & Industry Association Business Recovery Survey, 70% of businesses said they could operate safely under social distancing guidelines recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It appears that social distancing and safety precautions have proven to slow the spread of the COVID outbreak.

The state is slowly reopening, but Oroho believes not fast enough.

“Everywhere I go in my District I see how responsible our residents are being. Our economy and resulting state revenues have been devastated due to the shutdown, ” added Oroho. “Lagging behind other states will continue to strain small businesses and may encourage our residents to venture out of New Jersey and give their business elsewhere. If businesses can enact proper safety precautions, they should be able to open tomorrow, not next week or next month.”